Combination commodity.



E. H. GALLIGAN.

COMBINATION COMMODITY.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 26, 1914.

1,132,328. Patented Mar. 16, 1915.

EDWARD H. GALLIGAN, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE- ISLAND.

' COMBINATION COMMODITY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 16, 1915.

Application filed May 26, 1914. Serial No. 341,105.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD H. GALLI- GAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Providence, in the county of Providence and State of RhodeIsland, have invented new and useful Improvements in Combination Commodities, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to a combination commodity, and more particularly to the class of convertible devices, to be used as an invalid air cushion, hot water bottle, ice pack, vaginal or rectal douche or syringe.

The invention is primarily aimed to provide a device of this character wherein the vagina or rectum can be conveniently flushed or douched, the nozzle employed therefor being flexibly joined to the fluid container so that it can be readily and easily adjusted, inserted or removed from the part to be treated, and is located centrallyof said container to lie in proximity to such parts to be flushed, while the container has a center drainage to allow the used fluid or surplusage thereof to be discharged into a receptacle without the possibility of leakage or splashing or otherwise discomfort to the user.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character wherein the same may be used either as an air cushion, hot water bottle, overhead vaginal or rectum douche, ice pack, or seat douche, thus rendering the same convenient for use in a hospital or household.

A further ob ect of the invention is the provision of a device of this character wherein the nozzle is conveniently supported relative to the,body of the water container so that it need not be constantly held in the" hand nor supported thereby.

A still further object of the invention is the' provision of a device of this character which is simple in construction, reliableand eflicient in operation, and inexpensive in manufacture.

l/Vith these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will .be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawing :-Figure l is a top plan view of the device constructed in accordance with the invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the line 22 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional View through the filling spout or inlet. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional View through the flexible nozzle nipple, showing the same with the closure cap.

Similar reference characters indicate cor responding parts throughout the several views in the drawing.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the device comprises an annular fluid container A, formed from ring-like upper and lower sections 5 and 6, respectively, preferably made from rubber and cloth, and are connected together by seams 7 at the inner and outer peripheries of thefcontainer to render it fluid-tight. At the outer periphery of the container is a valved air inlet 8, which is of the usual construction to permit the inflating of the container with air so that it can be used as an invalid seat cushion of the ordinary type.

Formed at the outer periphery of the container at a point diametrically opposite the inlet 8, is a mouth piece forming a filling spout 9, which has detachably threaded therein a closure plug 10 of any approved form, the same being removable to permit the filling of the container when it is to be used as a vaginal or rectum douche or syringe, as will be hereinafter fully described.

Formed at the inner periphery of the container A is a flexible tube 11, in which is fitted an internally threaded nipple 12 receiving a detachable cap or plug 13, which on the removal thereof permits the attachment of a vaginal or rectum nozzle B, the detail construction of which will be hereinafter fully described.

The tube 11 and nipple 12 project into the center opening 15 in the container formed by the inner periphery thereof, and this opening 15 serves as a drainage aperture to allow the flow of water therethrough from the vagina or rectum when flushing the same with the nozzle in the usual manner, so that the used water or surplusage can be discharged directly into a receptacle Without splashing or spilling over the body of the container, which would cause discomfort to the user. By reason of the particular location .of the flexible tube 11 at the center opening 15 of the container it allows the nozzle B to be conveniently handled and adjusted relative to the parts to be treated or flushed,

as well as centralizing the said nozzle in proximity to such parts, while the opening 15 permits nicety of draina e of theused water or surplusage thereo without any inconvenience to the user, to allow the direct discharge of the same into a receptacle.

Formed on the container A is a perforated tab 16 which permits the same to be hung up so that the same can be used as an overhead dou'che or syringe, or the said container can be at rest when not in use.

The nozzle B comprises a stem 17 formed at one end with a socketed head 18 having detachably threaded therein a valve casing 19 carrying a turn plug valve 20 provided with a handle 21, the casing 19 being in communication with the bore in the stem which has threads 22 at its opposite end. for detachable engagement in the threaded nipple 12, while detachably threaded in the casing 19 is a vertically disposed perforated spray nozzle'23, the flow of water from the container through the latter being regulated by the valve 20 when manually mani ulated, the handle 21 of which is extende within convenient reach of the operator and lies .across the opening 15 above the container for the ready handling of the same. i

In the use of the device constructed as hereinbefore described the annular fluid container A is filled with water through the filling spout 9 which is closed as hereinbefore stated, it being understood of course that the nozzle is mounted at the center of the container at the point of connection 7 for spraying purposes, the nozzle being adjusted or inserted in the usual mannen for the treatment of the part affected. The flow of the liquid from-the container is controlled by the valve structure hereinbefore' described. It will be apparent that when the container is used in this manner the employment of tubing is obviated and also the hanging of the container at an elevated point is unnecessary.

It is of course understood that flexible tubing is used when the container is hun up for the overhead douche or syringe, an such tubing is adapted to be connected at the filling spout of the container.

Connected to the head 18 of the nozzle B is a supporting strap 24:, which is also connected to the inner periphery of the container and serves to brace the nozzle when subjected to undue strain, the end of the strap connected to the head 18 being detachouter peripheries, and detachable plugs closing said openings.

2. A device of the class described comprisingan annular bag'forming a fluid container having openings in its inner and outerv peripheries, detachable plugs closing said openings, and a nipple inserted in the opening in the inner periphery of the bag and projected therefrom and adapted for connection with a nozzle whereby the latter will be located wholly within the wall of the inner periphery and centrallywith respect to the bag.

3. A device of the class described comprising a circular bag forming a fluid container having an open center, a nipple mounted in the inner periphery of the bag and projected into the open center for the connection ofa nozzle, and means for closing the nipple on the detachment of-the noz zle therefrom.

4. A device of the class' described comprising a circular bag forming a fluid container having an open center, a nipple,

mounted in the inner periphery of the bag and projected into the open center for the connection of a nozzle, means for closing the nipple on the detachment of the nozzle therefrom, and a plugged filling mouth on the container at the outer. periphery thereof.

5.- A device of the class described comprising a circular bagforming a fluid container having an open center, a nipple mounted in the inner periphery of the bag and projected into the open center for the connection of a nozzle, means for closing the nipple on the detachment of the nozzle therefrom, a plugged filling mouth on the container at the outer periphery thereof,

and means connected with the inner periphery of the bag and adapted. for engagement with the nozzle for sustaining the same rigid when connected with the nipple.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in'presence of two witnesses.

EDWARD H. GALLIGAN. 

